Magazine under fire over Michelle Obama 'slave portrait'

De Fuera de Serie superimposed First Lady's image on portrait of topless former slave

Written by Cheyenne Bunsie
29/08/2012 01:00 PM

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CONTROVERSY: Magazine under fire over Michelle Obama 'slave portrait'

A SPANISH magazine has attracted controversy after photo-shopping a picture of First Lady Michelle Obama’s head onto a portrait of a slave

De Fuera de Serie used the portrait, which was originally released in 1800 by French artist Marie-Guillemine Benoist, accompanying an article in which the First lady is referred to as the 'gran mujer' (great woman) behind President Obama.

Another line from the feature which was translated into English, reportedly calls Michelle the 'Granddaughter of a Slave, Lady of America.’

Despite the alleged positive message the magazine appeared to have been trying to portray in the piece, use of the portrait has divided bloggers.

Writer for The Frisky, Jessica Wakeman, wrote: "As a non-Spanish speaker I first looked at the image and just thought OMG that's Michelle Obama's boobs!"

Outraged commentators on Twitter have also expressed their shock at the image.

"What???? We should demand an apology from the Country of Spain and the Magazine publisher for this racist stuff! [sic]" one angry Twitter user wrote.

Another added: "Michelle Obama is a woman of class and distinction. To put her on the cover as a slave is an effort to put her 'in her place' #epicfail [sic]."

Other’s however have defended the choice of the magazine to use the portrait, including artist, Karine Percheron-Daniels, who claims the image it shows an 'alternative unexpected reality' by allowing the viewer to see 'famous individuals in a different way'.

It has also been reported that the controversial image is just one in a series of edited photos that show famous people's faces on the heads of other nudes.

Other famous faces said to be included in the magazine are Mrs Obama’s husband Barack Obama, Princess Dianna and former President Abraham Lincoln.